George Strait turns 61

I count myself as one of the biggest George Strait fans in Houston and today, May 18, is King George’s birthday. He’s been a big part of my musical life almost since day one, and I can proudly say he was the first artist I ever saw live in concert, at RodeoHouston in 1987. The fireworks scared me. I think I cried. I was all of four years old.

I loaded some pictures from the Houston Chronicle archives into the slideshow above. Having access to these is a godsend, especially the older photos.

Over my years as a music writer, I spilled tons of digital ink about the man for countless blogs. And I even let my tattoo artist put some Strait-related ink into my skin about three years back. It’s a bar stool on the back of my calf dedicated to the Dean Dillon-penned Strait weeper “The Chair”. If that ain’t Texan, I don’t know what is. It could also be called very stupid.

It’s even my favorite Strait song. No, that’s “The Fireman”. Or is “Ocean Front Property”? Dang, I do like “It Just Comes Natural” as well.